play1:36Stephen A.: The Bills aren’t the best team in the AFCStephen A. Smith says he isn’t taking too much from the Bills’ win over the Chiefs in the regular season.
play1:19Does the road to the Super Bowl go through the Packers?Alex Smith, Adam Schefter and Rex Ryan discuss the Packers’ young roster and its chances of reaching the Super Bowl.
play0:53What does trade to Seahawks mean for Rashid Shaheed in fantasy?Field Yates breaks down why being traded to the Seahawks is a positive fantasy move for Rashid Shaheed.
play1:15Is Baker Mayfield a fantasy starting QB in Week 10?Field Yates discusses Baker Mayfield’s recent drop-off in fantasy production heading into a matchup vs. the Patriots.
play2:10Are the Bears serious playoff contenders?Taylor Lewan, Dan Orlovsky, Andrew Hawkins and Will Compton debate if Caleb Williams and the Bears are frauds.
play1:20McCourty: Jacoby Brissett has to be Cardinals’ starter moving forwardThe “Get Up” crew discusses whether the Cardinals are better off sticking with Jacoby Brissett even after Kyler Murray is ready to return from injury.
play1:31Arians after Quinnen Williams trade: I don’t know what the Jets are doingBruce Arians and Pat McAfee react to the Jets trading Quinnen Williams to the Cowboys.
Why Greeny is underwhelmed by Cowboys’ trade for Logan Wilson (1:02)The “Get Up” crew reacts to Jerry Jones and Cowboys finalizing a trade for Logan Wilson. (1:02)
Stephen A.: The Bills aren’t the best team in the AFCStephen A. Smith says he isn’t taking too much from the Bills’ win over the Chiefs in the regular season.
Stephen A. Smith says he isn’t taking too much from the Bills’ win over the Chiefs in the regular season.
Does the road to the Super Bowl go through the Packers?Alex Smith, Adam Schefter and Rex Ryan discuss the Packers’ young roster and its chances of reaching the Super Bowl.
Alex Smith, Adam Schefter and Rex Ryan discuss the Packers’ young roster and its chances of reaching the Super Bowl.
What does trade to Seahawks mean for Rashid Shaheed in fantasy?Field Yates breaks down why being traded to the Seahawks is a positive fantasy move for Rashid Shaheed.
Field Yates breaks down why being traded to the Seahawks is a positive fantasy move for Rashid Shaheed.
Is Baker Mayfield a fantasy starting QB in Week 10?Field Yates discusses Baker Mayfield’s recent drop-off in fantasy production heading into a matchup vs. the Patriots.
Field Yates discusses Baker Mayfield’s recent drop-off in fantasy production heading into a matchup vs. the Patriots.
Are the Bears serious playoff contenders?Taylor Lewan, Dan Orlovsky, Andrew Hawkins and Will Compton debate if Caleb Williams and the Bears are frauds.
Taylor Lewan, Dan Orlovsky, Andrew Hawkins and Will Compton debate if Caleb Williams and the Bears are frauds.
McCourty: Jacoby Brissett has to be Cardinals’ starter moving forwardThe “Get Up” crew discusses whether the Cardinals are better off sticking with Jacoby Brissett even after Kyler Murray is ready to return from injury.
The “Get Up” crew discusses whether the Cardinals are better off sticking with Jacoby Brissett even after Kyler Murray is ready to return from injury.
Arians after Quinnen Williams trade: I don’t know what the Jets are doingBruce Arians and Pat McAfee react to the Jets trading Quinnen Williams to the Cowboys.
NFL Nation reporters and Eric MoodyNov 6, 2025, 06:00 AM ET
Nine weeks of the 2025 NFL season have passed. Some teams are riding high, while others are grasping for wins.
Much of what we believed we knew when it all began in September has been validated — but lots of surprises, and injuries, have changed the course of our early season predictions.
The quarterback carousel spins in Arizona, New Orleans and San Francisco with injuries forcing backups to step up while Jaxson Dart has impressed as a rookie QB in New York. The NFC West is one of the strongest divisions halfway through the season and the New England Patriots are making a push for the AFC East title over the Buffalo Bills. The descent of the Cleveland Browns and the Tennessee Titans is indisputable. Jackson Smith-Njigba is seemingly unstoppable.
With that in mind, ESPN’s 32 NFL team reporters took part in a midseason reset. Here they lay out what they’ve learned through the first nine games and frame what’s to come over the final nine weeks and beyond. Teams are ranked below by where each stands in the ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) rankings, and each club’s current odds to win the division are also included as well as Eric Moody contributing non-QB fantasy football nuggets.
Stephen A. shuts down any talk of Chiefs missing the playoffs
Second-half storyline: Can Jones elevate his play to superstar level again? At age 31, Jones hasn’t been as dominant as in previous years. The Chiefs didn’t make a move at the deadline to improve their pass rush around Jones, either. Once again, Jones will have to carry the burden for lifting Steve Spagnuolo’s unit. Entering their bye week, the Chiefs have recorded just 20 sacks and nine takeaways. — Nate Taylor
Fantasy nugget: RBs Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt are positioned for success throughout the rest of the season, as the Chiefs have the 11th-easiest remaining schedule for fantasy running backs and one of the league’s most productive offenses. Kansas City ranks sixth in total yards and ninth in points per game. — Moody
First-half storyline: The Rams look like a team capable of a deep playoff run. The Rams have shown this season that they can depend on both sides of the ball to win games. The offense is led by quarterback Matthew Stafford, who is playing himself into the MVP conversation in his 17th season. The Rams’ defense has allowed 20 points combined in its past three games.
Second-half storyline: Can the Rams fix their special teams struggles before a potential playoff run? Although their kicking operation did not cost them the game in Week 9, head coach Sean McVay said it has in games already this season and it will again if they do not make changes. “This is not sustainable to continuously go where we want to go,” McVay said. — Sarah Barshop
Fantasy nugget: RB Kyren Williams has scored 10 or more fantasy points in seven of eight games this season, including four with 16 or more. He’s averaged 19 touches behind a Rams offensive line that ranks seventh in run block win rate. Los Angeles also has the 14th-easiest remaining schedule for fantasy running backs, so Williams should continue to thrive. — Moody
Fantasy nugget: Even though RB Jonathan Taylor is coming off a game in which he scored a season-low 7.7 fantasy points against the Steelers — after posting 23 or more in each of the four previous games — it’s important for managers to note that the Colts’ upcoming schedule gets much tougher. Still, Indianapolis’ offensive line ranks third in run block win rate, and Taylor is talented enough to remain productive in difficult matchups. — Moody
First-half storyline: The Bills have meandered through some rough patches — especially during the two-game losing streak going into the bye week but managed to come out of it with a 6-2 record and have kept pace with the AFC. The offense is working toward finding a passing game to balance with the rushing attack, while defensive injuries piled up.
Stephen A.: The Bills aren’t the best team in the AFC
Second-half storyline: Can the Bills get the No. 1 seed in the AFC? Despite the injuries and questions, the win over the Chiefs is a reminder of what this team is capable of along with Allen always giving it a chance. First up is beating the Patriots to the AFC East title, but the looming target remains the top seed. — Alaina Getzenberg
Fantasy nugget: TE Dalton Kincaid finished with a season-high 22.1 fantasy points in Week 9 against the Chiefs. Even though he’s splitting snaps, routes and targets with three other options in Buffalo’s tight end committee, Kincaid has averaged 4.7 targets and 13.2 fantasy points. The Bills also have the 13th-easiest remaining schedule for fantasy tight ends. — Moody
QB stat to know: Lions QB Jared Goff is the third quarterback in NFL history to accumulate at least 17 touchdown passes, a 73.0% completion percentage and a passer rating of 115.0 through the first eight games, joining Drew Brees (2018) and Tom Brady (2007). Goff has also thrown a touchdown in 14 consecutive games and for the 15th straight game against divisional opponents following Sunday’s loss to Minnesota.
Second-half storyline: Campbell and the Lions are eyeing a tough November stretch where he expects things to start shaking out within the division with tough games at Washington, Philadelphia and Green Bay so they can really see what they’re made of. “You’re going to start seeing the risers and fallers, and a lot of these teams are playing each other,” Campbell said. “We’re one of them.” — Eric Woodyard
Fantasy nugget: WR Amon-Ra St. Brown has recorded seven or more receptions in six of eight games this season. He’s also seen 10 or more targets in four of them as the focal point of the Lions’ passing attack. With the fifth-easiest upcoming schedule for fantasy wideouts and several potential shootouts ahead due to Detroit’s tough upcoming defensive matchups, St. Brown’s outlook remains strong and could also open up more big-play opportunities for fellow receiver Jameson Williams. — Moody
QB stat to know: Jalen Hurts has an NFL-leading 11 touchdowns against the blitz this season. He is completing 68.8% of his throws against five-plus rushers while throwing just one interception. Facing the blitz was an issue for Hurts in 2023 (61.1% completion rate, 5 TD, 8 INT) but he has turned it around big-time with 21 touchdowns to two interceptions and a completion percentage of 66.8 since the start of the 2024 season.
Fantasy nugget: WRs Brown and DeVonta Smith’s fantasy production and rapport with Hurts are well-documented. Neither has been consistent this season, but Philadelphia has the third-easiest remaining schedule for fantasy wide receivers. Both are excellent trade targets for managers in need of a receiver. — Moody
